Japan Airlines, Showa Sangyo, Boso oil and fat, Phytochem Products and Tohoku University have launched a demonstration project at Yamagata Airport in Japan, under which one of JAL’s ground support vehicles will operate using biodiesel fuel produced from byproducts generated in the rice bran oil manufacturing process.
The project began on May 28, 2026, and is scheduled to run until the end of May 2027. The biodiesel fuel, or BDF, will be used in a baggage towing tractor at Yamagata Airport. The trial aims to verify the fuel’s performance under actual operating conditions, assess its impact on the vehicle and examine the feasibility of establishing a stable supply system.
The project stands out because of both the feedstock and the production technology used. The BDF is produced from rice bran fatty acid, a non edible byproduct generated during the production of rice bran oil. In this way, waste or underused material is converted into a renewable energy source. The fuel is produced by Boso oil and fat, a member of the Showa Sangyo Group, using the “Ion Exchange Resin Method” developed by Tohoku University.
According to the project partners, this marks the world’s first use of biodiesel produced by this method at an airport. The technology is based on a flow type reaction separation process using ion exchange resin columns, and was developed by Professor Naomi Kitagawa and Assistant Professor Kosuke Hiromori of Tohoku University. The technology is expected to have broader applications in the processing of various unused biomass and oil resources.
Yamagata Airport was selected because of its climate and geographical location. As it is located in a basin, the area experiences significant seasonal temperature differences, allowing the fuel to be tested under a range of weather conditions. Another advantage is its proximity to Tohoku University, where the core technology used in the project was developed.
The project partners point out that growing global demand for biofuels requires the exploration of new feedstock sources and the diversification of supply chains. By using byproducts from rice bran oil production, they aim to demonstrate the possibility of creating a sustainable value chain while reducing emissions associated with airport ground operations.
JAL already uses biodiesel fuel produced from used cooking oil at 23 airports across Japan, in cooperation with local partners. The new project in Yamagata represents a further step, as it focuses on broadening the range of feedstocks and applying advanced technology developed in the Tohoku region.
The demonstration project is expected to show whether biodiesel produced from rice bran byproducts can be used reliably in everyday ground operations. If the trial proves successful, it could open the way for wider application of similar solutions at airports and in other sectors seeking to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
